Another Opinion - On the Matter of the HD DVD Petition...

[akirby]

Instead of nitpicking the semantics of certain words, why don't you explain how this "competition" will benefit the consumer in a year or two, assuming we still have 2 formats. The studios would have to produce both formats (more expensive) and the hardware manufacturers would only be operating at 50% volume for each format or selling much more expensive combo players like LG and Samsung. Sales and rental outlets would have to stock both formats (and constantly determine how many of each format to stock).

In the end we'll end up with combo players because nobody wants to buy 2 separate units. And that will be more expensive.

If you're saying that it's cheaper NOW and you don't care about the future then yes, you're right. Let's move on.

[pmalter0]

Well, Phil, looks like I'm wrong about most everything. But since you aren't, you might do Sony the favor of dropping them an e-mail. Since they have now spent upwards of a BILLION dollars securing this "monopoly", their legal department should be advised of their mis-step. I'm thinking it probably came up in a board meeting once, but I'm probably wrong about that too.

My, for someone who came in here cutting and slashing you have a remarkably thin skin. Moreover, rather than attacking and criticizing others in areas where you have little personal knowledge, you could have benefited us all by answering our questions on matters where you have experience and expertise -- I was hoping that you could answer my question on whether it is currently more expensive per disc to manufacture 10,000 HD DVDs or 20,000 BR. Additionally, if you had taken the time to review other similar topics in this forum you would have found that I had addressed that inasmuch as Toshiba had engaged in similar practices with other studios it would be quite hesitant to sue Warner/Sony. I also noted that the best party to sue Warner/Sony would be an independent HD DVD disc manufacturer(but they would probably lack the necessary financial resources). Undoubtedly, Sony's attorneys gave similar advice. Nonetheless, it is my personal opinion (I don't practice antitrust law anymore) that for a number of reasons, the Warner/Sony deal crosses over the line between lawfulness and unlawfulness, and Toshiba could successfully sue.

Phil

[pmalter0]

Instead of nitpicking the semantics of certain words, why don't you explain how this "competition" will benefit the consumer in a year or two, assuming we still have 2 formats. The studios would have to produce both formats (more expensive) and the hardware manufacturers would only be operating at 50% volume for each format or selling much more expensive combo players like LG and Samsung. Sales and rental outlets would have to stock both formats (and constantly determine how many of each format to stock).

In the end we'll end up with combo players because nobody wants to buy 2 separate units. And that will be more expensive.

Talking about kicking a dead horse, how many different examples do you have to be given before you'll understand that two formats do not impose significant costs. According to you, the retailers must be tearing their hair out over having to stock both plasma and LCD televisions -- not to mention the manufacturers. We have also shown you that even where there is no question but that multiple formats do impose costs -- cell phones -- competition still produces lower overall prices to consumers.
Also, why can't you understand that if the studios issued all their movies in both formats, no one would have to buy combo players or two separate units.

Phil

[miller]

My, for someone who came in here cutting and slashing you have a remarkably thin skin. Moreover, rather than attacking and criticizing others in areas where you have little personal knowledge...

I believe Mr. Paullin was being sarcastic there Phil.

- Miller

[akirby]

According to you, the retailers must be tearing their hair out over having to stock both plasma and LCD televisions -- not to mention the manufacturers. We have also shown you that even where there is no question but that multiple formats do impose costs -- cell phones -- competition still produces lower overall prices to consumers.
Phil

The problem is the "competition" here is causing consumers to not only hold off buying HD DVD or BD players or movies - they're also not buying standard DVDs. They're confused because they don't see a difference between the two.

Why do you continue to ignore the volume factor? It will always be cheaper to produce 2x widgets rather than x widgets. And we're talking about huge volumes here.

Also, why can't you understand that if the studios issued all their movies in both formats, no one would have to buy combo players or two separate units.
Phil

Why can't you understand that if I buy Blu-Ray and my friend buys HD DVD and we don't have the ability to play both formats then we can't share movies? Just like SACD and DVD-A.

[regman]

I stopped buying movies, not because of the format, because Hollywood is just not putting out much stuff that is worth owning anymore. How many movies can you think of that you want to watch more than once? I have dramatically slowed down on media aqcuisition. We just got back from the theater seeing "Atonement" Was it a decent movie yes - would I want to own it - not! And the 5 so called "free" movies - give me a break - I don't care if they're BD or not - they'll all end up in the discount bin with the hole punched in the case. The studios probably paid them to unload them. Only one of them had DTS. BFD.

Don't get your bowels in an uproar - it's gadgets we're talking about here - not the war on cancer.

[John Seymore]

People have eased off buying DVDs because there are so many entertainment options available conveniently to them now - PPV streaming, iTunes, Netflix, and of course piracy. The idea that Joe Average -- who doesn't CARE about the format war much less see any deficiency with DVD -- have stopped buying DVDs in their anxiety of the outcome is unbelievable @#$%, and the only people who believe it are the people who can't face the reality of a massive Sony bribe.

And for a prior posted who commented that Blu-ray has "open java". Un-friggin-believable. Firstly, the specific Java runtime is not the runtime on your desktop, and there is absolutely nothing "open" about it.

Blu-ray is a bad technology for consumers, and if it wins you're going to discover why Sony developed the "Blu-ray rootkit" called BD+. On every single level but storage per layer (WGAS) and a marginal, completely unnoticable transfer rate difference, HD-DVD is technically superior, and it's the user's best choice.

[terrypaullin]

Blu-ray is a bad technology for consumers, and if it wins you're going to discover why Sony developed the "Blu-ray rootkit" called BD+. On every single level but storage per layer (WGAS) and a marginal, completely unnoticable transfer rate difference, HD-DVD is technically superior, and it's the user's best choice.

......Uhh, that's what I meant to say.........................

[jordanm]

So I've been holding my breath, expecting to be disappointed once again. (Anyone want my laserdisc collection?).

Don't pick on Laserdiscs-w/o them you wouldn't have the fancy sound or features of DVD or high-def DVD players. If you don't want your laserdisc collection, I'd be happy to have it. I can play it out upscaled to 1080p, too.

[allargon]

VideoBusiness contradicted themselves that same week. They said the format war cost the home media business then said the format war lowered prices to the point that HDM had better than DVD early adoption rates. Err...

The petition won't do much but make bitter HD DVD supporters feel better. Seriously, why the hate from both camps? I don't hate Blu-Ray. I just hate its hardware pricing and the fact that depsite its better specs than HD DVD, it has never shown itself to have superior PQ against the best of HD DVD. That said, if HD DVD fans want to make a difference they need to buy enough discs to make Warner and other Blu-Ray studios (eventually) revisit their decision to support HD DVD. Most are likely locked into contracts with expensive out clauses. Who knows?

Somewhat better than the petition is to sign up for Warner's e-mail list (It's not that bad) and to tell them which perform you prefer.

http://email-warnerbros.com/registratio ... source=WBB

Blu-Ray fans can voice their preferences, too.